A 71-year-old man has been convicted of 20 historic rapes and sexual assaults against children, following an investigation by Northamptonshire Police.
Peter David Freeman, of Northumberland Avenue, Stamford, Lincolnshire, was found guilty earlier this week following a trial at Northampton Crown Court.
In December 2017, two woman came forward to the Force to report that Freeman had repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted them in Raunds and a village in east Northamptonshire between 1975 and 1989.
Investigations by the Force’s SOLAR team, which deals with rape and serious sexual assault cases, resulted in Freeman being charged with 10 counts of rape against a child under 16 and six counts of indecent assault against a child under 14.
Then in the summer of 2020, two further victims bravely came forward, resulting in a further five charges of indecent assault being laid against Freeman.
Following an eight-day trial, in which Freeman refused to give evidence, on Wednesday, April 21, the jury found him not guilty of one count of indecent assault, but guilty on the other 20 charges of indecent assault and rape.
Investigating officer DC Colleen White, of the SOLAR team, said: “I want to thank the victims in this case for having the courage to come forward and report this matter to the police.
“They have demonstrated great strength throughout our investigation and the trial process and should be commended for this.
“This defendant not only stole their childhoods from them but also affected their adult lives and, although this verdict cannot change that, I hope that it brings them some peace for their future.
“Freeman carried out unthinkable acts on these victims when they were vulnerable children, preying on their innocence and subjecting them to years of the most horrific abuse imaginable, and I am sure the sentence he will receive will reflect this.
“This case demonstrates that it is never too late to achieve justice.
“To anyone who has been subjected to any form of sexual abuse, whenever it took place, I would urge you to please report it to us – we will believe you, we will support you, and we will do all we can to make sure those responsible are brought to account.”
Freeman is due back in court for sentencing on June 15.
